Gate latch



Sept. 15, 1931. C, E, WAY 1,823,33

f GATE LATCH I A Filed July 22, 1930 P 6 A 4' /f (i nvenlor /4 A 16H/F f e/ 4. 'y

/a o ov- I By AMQM.

A Homey Patented Sept. 15, 1931 UNITED lSTATES VCHARLES WAY, OF FAIRIIONT, OKLAHOMA GATE LATCH Application led J'uly 22,

This invention relates broadly to latches for retaining a closure normally in a closed locking position, the primary object of the invention being to provide a latch especially adapted for use with any gate, for retaining a gate closed. i

A still further object of the invention 1s to provide a latch of the above-mentioned character which is comparatively simple 1n constructure though reliable, practicable and eflicient in use, and well adapted for the purpose for which it is designe Other'objects and advantages of the 1nvention will become apparent during a study of the following description, taken in lconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my improved latch.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same taken on'the line 2 2 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the latch taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. l. f Fig. 4 is a plan view of the plate in conjunction with the catch plate, to be used in connection with the latch.

With reference more in detail to the drawings, it will be seen that the reference character G designates a gate. The o gate as shown comprises a metallic frame having vertical and horizontal bars or wires, connecting opposite members of the frame.

Myimproved latch comprises a substan-v Y tially V-shaped member 5 formed of wire or any other suitable material. The V-shaped member 5 has the ends thereof passed through suitable openings provided in one vertical frame member of the gate and nuts 6 are threaded on said ends of the member 5 for retaining the same in position.

Intermediate its ends, the member 5 is looped about itself to provide an eye 7. A latch bar 8 at oneend is provided with an eye 9 engaging eye 7 providing a loose connection between'the member `5 and latch bar 8. The latch bar 8 has the free end thereof operable in a vertical slot 11 provided therefor in the said one vertical frame member of the gate G.

The free end of the' bar 8 is adapted to be 11130. serial N. 469,811. f

moved into and out of engagement with an angular shapednotch 12 formed in the fence: post P. As-suggested, in this instance, the fence post P is of `'cylindrical formation and is preferably hollow. For normally" retaining the free end of the bar 8 lin the lower end ofthe vertical arm of the notch 12,"there is arranged in the notch 11',`a coiled spring 13 one end of which bears against .thev upper end of the notch, andthe lower end of which bears against an intermediateI portion of the bar 8.

' 4It is thought that the operation of the device will be apparent from the foregoing description taken in connection with the ac- 6" companying drawings. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, and the gate is inclosed position, it may be normall maintained in that position by the free en of the bar 8 being held in engagement with the vertical section of the angular notch 12 through the medium of spring 13.

To swing the gate G to an open position, latch 8 is moved upwardly against the action .,I of spring 13, and then moved laterally and n downwardly to be finally withdrawn from the notch 12 as the gate is swung in the proper direction.

In Fig. 4, I have shown a plate designated generally by the reference character 14. This plate 14 is adapted to be used on a gate post whichis made of wood. The plate 14 is provided with a notch 15 and the plate is further provided with an inwardly extending cutaway portion to provide an entrance opening 16 for the notch r15, the lateral opening 16 extending at an angle to the notch 15.

In use the plate 14 may be suitably secured to the wood gate post, and it will be seen that asthe gate is swung to a closed position, the free end of the bar 8 will enter the opening 16 to move upwardly in a direction of inclination of the opening 16 to pass into notch 15 in finally dropping into the lower end of the notch for retaining the gate in closed position.

Even though I have herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that changes may be made in the spirit of the invention,

and the scope of the appended claims Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is 1. A latch for the purpose specified comprising, a substantially V- shaped member avingl the ends thereof capable o being. passed through openings provided therefor in a closure, nuts threaded on the said ends for securing the member' inpositionl, Said. i :1 v member at the apex thereof providedwith an eye, a latch bar at one end provided'Wi'tl-r f an eye engaging the first mentioned eye, the

free end of said latch bar Vadapted to e`ky tend `through a slot providedin the closure,

and a spring in the slot normally *urging4 the.

latch `har adjacent oneV end oli-theA slot.

, latch forthe purpose speoied'comf prising. a member formed of Wire and eoiled intermediate its ends toprovi'de an eye,` opposite. end portions oi the ,Wirey extending `in divergent relation fromY said eye, a latohbar provided' atV one end.Y with an eye engage- Y able with the tid-rst mentioned eye, and means fory securing, the terminals oi said opposite end portions to a support.

' Inrtestimony whereof IaHiX--my signature.

- y* e VCIfIARLES-ll. WAY. 

